In this critical 2025 milestone, the EU regulation (EU) 2025/1871 has set an irreversible deadline: new vehicle models must support NG eCall starting in 2026, and all legacy eCall certificates will become fully invalid by 2027. This means certification has evolved from an "option" to a "life-or-death line"—and cost is the most practical challenge on this path.

I. How Much Does EU NG eCall Certification Cost?

Your total cost is essentially a financial reflection of your technical solution, product form, and business strategy. Understanding these three points gives you control over your budget:

1. Product Form: The Biggest Cost Divider

-Standalone T-Box/Communication Module Certification: This is the more cost-controllable path. Certification focuses on the module’s protocol conformance, positioning accuracy, and basic functions. Based on 2024–2025 practices from multiple suppliers, the cost typically ranges from €80,000 to €150,000. This primarily covers full-function, performance, and network protocol testing in laboratory environments in accordance with standards such as EN 17240.

-Vehicle-Integrated System Certification: This is where costs skyrocket, potentially jumping to €250,000 to €500,000 or more. The significant difference stems from several mandatory, high-cost items:

·Crash Testing: A single test costs €18,000 to €35,000, covering not just testing fees but also expensive prototype and venue costs.

·Vehicle-Level EMC Testing: Conducted in specialized anechoic chambers, costing €100,000 to €200,000.

·System Integration and Reliability Verification: Requires coordinating the vehicle network, power supply, and sensors, with a long testing cycle and substantial labor/coordination costs.

2. Technical Complexity: Every "Advanced" Feature Has a Price Tag

Your technical choices directly impact the bill. Beyond basic certification, each of the following can lead to significant cost increases:

·Support for 5G SA Networks and IMS Protocols: A core requirement for NG eCall, but it involves more complex protocol stacks and network compatibility testing, increasing costs by 30%–50%.

·High-Precision Positioning (≤3 Meters): Requires fusing GNSS and in-vehicle sensor data, with more complex test scenarios and algorithm validation, adding 15%–25% to costs.

·New EU Mandatory Test Items: For example, the "5-minute call + 56-minute standby + second call" backup power test effective in 2027 requires specialized design validation and testing cycles, directly translating to additional expenses.

3. Partner Selection: Invisible Cost Components

·EU Notified Bodies (e.g., Germany’s KBA): Official application, review, and certification fees are relatively fixed and transparent, typically ranging from €15,000 to €30,000—but this is just the "entry fee".

·Testing Laboratories and Consulting Services: This is where costs fluctuate most. Pre-testing services from top-tier laboratories may cost €20,000 to €50,000. An experienced compliance consulting team (e.g., China-based BLUEASIA, CATARC) offers end-to-end services from technical solution design and document preparation to full project management. While requiring an additional service fee of RMB 50,000 to RMB 100,000, this often avoids hundreds of thousands of euros in rework costs and delays by ensuring "getting it right the first time".

  II. Special Costs from the EU NG eCall Certification Transition Period

Looking beyond static variables, 2025’s uniqueness lies in standing at the window of mandatory transition between old and new standards. Smart planning can yield significant savings here:

1.Cost Difference Between "Upgrade Certification" and "New Certification": If your vehicle model already holds a legacy eCall certificate, upgrading it before 2027 may only require "differential testing" (testing only the new NG eCall components), saving 30%–40% compared to full testing from scratch. This is a "time dividend" for existing models.

2.Cost-Effective Technical Route Choices: While NG eCall is the future, some manufacturers still consider "hybrid eCall" solutions (compatible with both old and new networks) in 2025. This may seem pragmatic but can be more costly: you’ll need to test and validate two technical solutions simultaneously, increasing certification complexity and costs. At this juncture, committing to a pure NG eCall solution is often more economical over the full product lifecycle.

3.Beware of "Hidden Costs": These include travel and coordination costs for real-vehicle network testing across multiple European countries, hardware redesign fees to meet new power standards, and lost market opportunities due to project delays—none of which appear on laboratory quotes but directly impact your total investment.

Ultimately, the cost of EU NG eCall certification is not a passive expense but an active investment in your specific technical solution and qualification to enter the EU market. In 2025, the biggest cost risk is not overspending, but project failure due to poor planning, technical rework, or missed regulatory deadlines—resulting in the loss of market access. For professional certification consulting services, contact BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140.